Slim type optical storage drive for notebook computer

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a slim type optical storage drive for use in notebook computers. The inventive drive has no housing and is thereby slimmer than a conventional drive. The core of the drive comprises a control circuit board, a tray and a fixing portion for fixing the drive in a notebook computer. The core of the drive, while disposed in the notebook computer, is protected by the notebook computer rather than a housing. A notebook computer, provided with a slim type optical storage drive of the invention, is lighter, slimmer, and less expensive.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates in general to a slim type optical storagedrive and in particular to a slim type optical storage drive for anotebook computer.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional optical storage drive 10 of anotebook computer is manufactured by the manufacturer of the opticalstorage drive, and then transmitted to the manufacturer of the notebookcomputer who fits the optical storage drive to the notebook computer.The conventional optical storage drive 10 comprises a core and a housing11 for protecting the core. Installing the housing around the core ofthe drive 10 increases the thickness and the weight of the notebookcomputer.

Notebook computers are highly valued not only for their functionalitybut also their portability. Hence a thin, lightweight notebook computeris desirable.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the invention provides a notebook computer with a slim typeoptical storage drive consisting essentially of a core. The coreconnects to the notebook computer via a control circuit board fordriving the optical storage drive. A tray over the control circuit boardsupports a disc. A fixing portion connects the core and the notebookcomputer when the core is disposed in a space. The space comprises atleast a closed side and an open side situated on the base. The core isinstalled in the space and is protected via the closed side of thespace.

The housing of the conventional optical storage drive is replaced by theclosed side of the space for protecting the core. Reducing theconventional housing can decrease the thickness and weight of thenotebook computer. Decreasing the thickness and weight of the notebookcomputer is convenient to carry for a user and reduces the cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reading thesubsequent detailed description and examples with references made to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic structure of a conventional notebook computer;

FIG. 2 shows the core of the optical storage drive;

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a slim type optical storage driveinstalled in the notebook computer;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the slim type opticalstorage drive installed in the notebook computer; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a slim typeoptical storage drive installed in the notebook computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the core of the optical storage drive 21 hasno housing and consisting essentially of a control circuit board 22, atray 23 and a fixing portion 24. The control circuit board 22 iselectrically connected to the notebook computer 2 for driving theoptical storage drive. The tray 23 comprises a circular recess 25 forsupporting a compact disc or similar optical media. The core of theoptical storage drive 21 is installed in the notebook computer 2 via thefixing portion 24 fixed to the bottom board 27 of the notebook computer2.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the fixing portions 24 are preferred threeadjacent sides corresponding to the closed side 31 but not the side fromwhich the tray 23 is extracted and retracted. The fixing portion is anextending surface with fixing holes 26 and fixing elements 28 forsecuring the fixing portion 24 and the notebook computer 2. The notebookcomputer 2 comprises a space 29 for installing the core of the opticalstorage drive 21 therein. At least one side around the space 29 isopening side 30, the others are closed sides 31. The closed sides 31 ofthe notebook computer 2 plays the role of the housing of theconventional optical storage drive for protecting the core of theoptical storage drive 21. A notebook computer, provided with a slim typeoptical storage drive of the invention, is lighter, slimmer, and lesscostly.

Referring to FIG. 5, the core of the optical storage drive 21 has nohousing and comprises a control circuit board 22 and a tray. The bottomboard 27 of the notebook computer 2 comprises a fixing area 24 a,corresponding to the fixing portions 24 of the optical storage drive 21.The control circuit board 22 is electrically connected to the notebookcomputer 2 for driving the optical storage drive 21. The tray 23comprises a circular recess 25 for supporting compact disc. The core ofthe optical storage drive 21 is installed in the notebook computer 2 viathe fixing portion 24 a fixing the bottom board 27 of the notebookcomputer 2.

The fixing area 24 a are preferred three adjacent side areascorresponding to the fixing portions 24 but not the side area from whichthe tray 23 is extracted and retracted. The fixing holes 26 and fixingelements 28 are situated on fixing area 24 a for securing the fixingportion 24 and the notebook computer 2. The notebook computer 2comprises a space 29 for installing the core of the optical storagedrive 21 therein. At least one side around the space 29 is opening side30, the others are closed sides 31. The closed sides 31 replace thehousing of the conventional optical storage drive for protecting thecore of the optical storage drive 21.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms ofthe preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it isintended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (aswould be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope ofthe appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so asto encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

1. A slim type optical storage drive for a notebook computer, thenotebook computer comprising a base and a space with at least a closedside and an open side situated on the base, consisting essentially of: acore consisting essentially of: a control circuit board connectedelectrically to the notebook computer when the core is disposed in thespace; and a tray over the control circuit board for supporting a disc;and a fixing portion, corresponding to the closed side and connectingbetween the core and the notebook computer when the core is disposed inthe space.
 2. The slim type optical storage drive for a notebookcomputer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixing portion is installedon the closed side of the notebook computer, and acts as a part of thebase of the notebook computer.
 3. The slim type optical storage drivefor a notebook computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core of thedrive further comprises a fastening element for connecting the fixingportion and the base.
 4. A notebook computer comprising: a base; a spacecomprising at least a closed side and an open side situated in the base;a slim type optical storage drive consisting essentially of: a core,consisting essentially of: a control circuit board connectedelectrically to the notebook computer when the core is disposed in thespace and a tray over the control circuit board for supporting a disc;and a fixing portion installing on the base, corresponding to the closedside of the space, and connecting the core and notebook computer whenthe core is disposed in the space.